Former Indonesian President Habibie dies at 83

Summary

Vijay Habibi, former Indonesian president and pioneering aircraft engineer, passed away at 83 in Jakarta due to heart failure. Born in South Sulawesi in 1936, Habibi studied aerospace engineering in Europe before returning to Indonesia to aid in industrialization under Suharto. He led the state-owned aviation company and served 20 years as Minister of Research and Technology. Rising to the presidency in 1998 after Suharto's resignation, Habibi oversaw Indonesia's transition to democracy, stabilized the economy during the Asian financial crisis, and stepped down in 1999. President Joko Widodo honored him as a world-class scientist and father of Indonesian technology. He is survived by two sons.

Takeaways

• 📰 Vijay Habibi, former Indonesian president, passed away at the age of 83 in Jakarta due to heart failure.
• 🎤 President Joko Widodo described Habibi as a 'world-class scientist' and 'the father of Indonesian technology.'
• 🌍 Habibi was born in June 1936 in a small town in South Sulawesi.
• ✈️ He studied aviation and aerospace engineering in Germany and the Netherlands before returning to Indonesia in the mid-1970s.
• 🏭 Suharto appointed Habibi to help industrialize the country, including chairing the state-owned aviation company PT Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara.
• 🔬 Habibi served as Minister of Research and Technology for 20 years, contributing significantly to Indonesia's scientific and technological development.
• 🇮🇩 He became vice president and shortly after president in 1998, following Suharto’s resignation amid mass protests.
• ⚖️ As president, Habibi oversaw the transition to democracy and stabilized the economy during the Asian financial crisis.
• ⏳ He served 70 months as president and chose not to contest the October 1999 election, succeeded by Abdul Rahman Wahid.
• 👨‍👩‍👦 He is survived by two sons, Saddam and Binyam, and other family members.

Q & A

Who was Vijay Habibi?

Vijay Habibi was the President of Indonesia who played a key role in democratic reforms following the fall of longtime dictator Suharto. He was also a former aircraft engineer and Minister of Research and Technology.

When and where did Vijay Habibi pass away?

Vijay Habibi passed away on Wednesday at the age of 83 in Jakarta, at a military hospital.

What was the cause of Vijay Habibi's death?

He died due to heart failure.

How did President Joko Widodo describe Vijay Habibi?

President Joko Widodo described Vijay Habibi as a 'world-class scientist' and 'the father of Indonesian technology.'

What was Vijay Habibi's educational background?

Habibi studied aviation and aerospace engineering in Germany and the Netherlands before returning to Indonesia in the mid-1970s.

What roles did Habibi hold before becoming president?

He chaired the state-owned aviation company PT Dirgantara Nusantara and served as Minister of Research and Technology for 20 years.

When did Habibi become president, and under what circumstances?

Habibi became president in 1998, just two months after serving as vice president under Suharto, who resigned after mass protests ended his three-decade rule.

What were Habibi’s main achievements as president?

He guided Indonesia through a transition to democracy, stabilized the economy after the Asian financial crisis, and addressed decades of corruption.

How long did Habibi serve as president and who succeeded him?

He served for 70 months and withdrew from the October 1999 election. He was succeeded by Abdul Rahman Wahid.

Where and when was Vijay Habibi born?

He was born in June 1936 in a small town in South Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Who survives Vijay Habibi after his passing?

He is survived by two sons.